YarnTalk

Knit, Repeat

Some people don't like knitting the same project more than once, which explains the one sock phenomenon. I do. I like to see the same pattern knit a little more custom fit to my liking. I like to see the pattern in different yarns. A pattern like Niamath's Wisp (knitty, ravelry) does look great in Kidsilk Haze, and now I am knitting one in turquoise beaded Tili Symphony -http://www.tillitomas.com/ Here is my Wrap by Cocoknits. Wonder what yarn I will use for the next one?

Sock Intelligence

Knit it once, knit it twice. The minute you realize sock #1 isn't what you expected rip it out! Too big? Start over. Toe up and too bunchy? Start over. If you are being honest with yourself you will realize pretty early on that sock #1 isn't perfect. To insure that there WILL be a sock #2, #1 has to be worth repeating. Ask me how I know.

A Stranger Knitting in the Park

When you knit in public you can count me spying on your project, checking out your pattern, yarn and your ablility. I can't help myself. Some people will bend over and pet your dog, I count stitches. A very elegant woman was knitting this involved cardigan in the park. She explained she knit body top sleeve to sleeve with a cable and lace pattern. She picked up stitches for the mid sweater with a rib stitch which was brilliant because it pulled in the sweater to make it fitted to the body. Below the few inches of ribbing she knit out looser into a slight peplum. I commented that the peplum mimiked the design of the flared sleeves and she seemed please that I caught her design intention. She then told me that she couldn't find the yarn color she wanted so she bought a Goodwill sweater and washed and unraveled it! Who does that? Repurposing is excellent. Things should be handed down, passed around and kept out of the landfill. But yarn? No. I want my yarn springy with lots of body and life left, especially for garment knitting. I like to enjoy the yarn running through my fingers for hours and hours as I knit and I want my projects to endure the wear and tear I give it. Skimp on yarn? NEVER! You will never regret breaking the bank for good quality yarn.

Koigu Scarf

How many Koigu projects can one woman knit? I stopped counting.

Slate on Ravelry

http://www.slate.com/id/2298584/

I do love Ravelry. I check the new projects several times a day. I also look at the pattern tester's group, although I have never offered to knit a sample. Before I buy yarn I have never used before I check to see what comments people have posted. I like to see what itches, what pills, and what bleeds. I also check to see who made what with the new yarns I have bought. I just invested in some Tillie yarns using a birthday discount, which brought the price down from super-high, to enjoying it luxury. It is satisfying to see how others have used it and it saves me from making mistakes. Yay, Ravelry! I am glad to see it getting credit for being wonderful. Here are some of my projects!

Kusha Kusha!

Every knitter has to make one. Everyone who lives in or passes through NY should visit the Habu studio. Sure, this is an endless knit.Sure knitting with stainless steel and thin thin yarn is awkward and the needle size changes... Put that all aside, but on your reading glasses and knit, knit, knit. When you are finally finished you will be proud of your architectural, pliable, can't pick wrong colors delight! On Ravelry, I am the 666th person to post my Kusha Kusha scarf. This has to be lucky, right?

Wisp in Kids Silk Haze

Wisp on Knitty is fun and easy. I never thought I couldn't handle mohair but there are more and more mohairs out there that are a little softer than the Rowan Kidsilk Night I used for my first. People comment on how complicated the pattern is but it isn't. Wisp is easy and fun. I am on a mohair kick now. I used Luna from S. Charles used for the Everyday Wrap from Cocoknits, and while it is a similar mohair blend as The KSH, it is much softer.

Mohair Compare

Knitty's Wisp pattern is hypnotic. It is the easiest lace knitting ever. It wears the Knitty 'mellow' label honestly. The pattern flows along quickly and is satisfying because it really looks like a complicated pattern but it isn't! When you make a mistake, and you know you will, just frog back a few rows. No tears, and no big sticking mohair mess because being knit on 8's it is loose enough to unravel. Nothing dramatic.

I had knit the Everyday Wrap from Cocoknits from a free Ravelry pattern. Lovely. I knit it with a cappuccino colored Stacy Charles Luna I bought with selection help from the wonderful Annie & Co. knits on Madison and 92nd.(ask for Alyssa)  The S. Charles is so much softer than KSH but look the same. Last week I got Craig's Loop update from their sumptuous Philadelphia shop saying that they now have Debbie Bliss Angel Mohair and Silk. Great colors. I am tempted but curious to know how it compares with its mohair sisters.I emailed this question to Knitter's Review. I know Clara Parkes will have an answer! I will let you know.

Manos Silk Blend

 
I made some Momogus mitts from Manos Silk last year. I like this faux cable stitch. Cute and quick. I keep buying Manos Silk in different colors, verigated and solids and I can't figure out what to do with them. I see over 7000 knitters on Ralvery have chosen patterns. Once again I will turn to them for inspiration.  I tend to buy a skein of yarn when I like it so I end up knitting mitts. cowls and just keeping the hank for admiring. When I quilted I bought FQs. Some quilters suggested always buying a yard or two or fabric if you like it. I knew I would then be swimming in yardage. Now I am swimming in fat quarters and single skeins!

Jared Flood Guernsey

What a great, fun pattern.  The Shepherd's Wool project just flew off the needles in a satisfying way. The pattern blocks offer natural mileposts- I would finish a whole segment before allowing myself to hold up the project and admire.  I bought the yarn at Fibre Space in Alexandria, Va. I was visiting my son in DC and took the quick trip over the bridge to see what Fibre Space had to offer. Beautiful shops with great yarn selection and someone interested helped me. There was a new display of Jared Flood's Shelter yarns and you can't beat the colors it comes in.Their display was sumptuous but alas, as with the Noro's frustrations, great colors but too rough for me. The surprise discovery of the Shepherds Wool softness saved the day and my lovely gray wrap is finished and sent off to Chicago, gifted to my pregnant daughter-in-law!

Honeysuckle? Think Pink!

I hope all of you have heard the big news! HONEYSUCKLE is the new new new color. Yep, ring in the New Year with something pink, or as close to pink as possible. Turquoise is so last year. I did see some fabulous tourquoise Madelinetosh at Annie & Company on Madison at 93 that I really wanted. Phew! Good thing I didn't buy it!

Click for more color-of-the-year news:

NY Daily News Honeysuckle is the Color of the Year for 2011, says Pantone; Pink replaces last year's turquoise.

Shine Honeysuckle: THE Color for 2011

Betty Confidential Honeysuckle Is The Color For Spring!